Efficient is developing the world’s most energy-efficient general-purpose computer processor. Efficient’s patented technology uses 100x less energy than state of the art commercially available ultra-low-power processors and is programmable using standard high-level programming languages and AI/ML frameworks. This level of efficiency makes perpetual, pervasive intelligence possible: run AI/ML continuously on a AA battery for 5-10 years. Our platform’s unprecedented level of efficiency enables IoT devices to intelligently capture and curate first-party data to drive the next major computing revolution
We are seeking a Senior Software Optimization Engineer to join our growing team. Efficient’s Senior Software Optimization Engineer will design, optimize, and deploy applications for the world’s most energy-efficient programmable processor (the “Fabric”). In this role, you will take ownership of complex, performance-critical applications, working closely with Efficient’s compiler team to implement customer requirements, validate software quality, and provide deep technical insight into compiler interactions. This position is a unique opportunity to work on cutting-edge hardware/software co-design, while making an immediate impact in building the next generation of embedded applications.
Key Responsibilities
- Independently design and implement complex embedded applications based on customer requirements, specifications, and existing code.
- Drive application optimization using Efficient’s compiler and software stack targeting the Fabric.
- Deploy and validate applications on the Fabric across software simulation and FPGA emulation environments.
- Own performance and energy-efficiency analysis, developing benchmarks and methodologies to evaluate applications against customer requirements.
- Identify, reproduce, and distill issues into minimum-viable test cases, conveying precise feedback to the compiler team.
- Collaborate deeply with the compiler team to test, debug, and refine compiler features.
- Contribute advanced optimizations to frameworks and libraries in domains such as DSP and machine learning.
- Provide architectural feedback based on hands-on experience to influence both software and hardware evolution.
Required Qualifications & Experience Requirements
- Must be an excellent embedded engineer with 8+ years of work experience
- 3+ years of C/C++ experience
- Deep knowledge of at least one embedded platform, such as MSP430, STM32, Ambiq Apollo, PIC32, or similar
- Experience developing and deploying applications under resource constraints
- Experience using non-standard build environments and compiler toolchains, especially for embedded systems
- Experience using industry standard development and debugging tools for embedded development
- Strong attention to detail, good work ethic, ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously, and good communication skills
- Good problem solving skills
Desired Qualifications & Experience Requirements
- Experience using LLVM, MLIR, GCC, or a similar compiler framework to develop compiler passes
- Experience building TinyML models and deploying models under severe resource constraints (e.g. limited memory)
- Experience writing optimized BLAS and DSP kernels
- Knowledge of computer architecture
We offer a competitive salary for this role, generally ranging from $160,000 to $210,000, along with meaningful equity and comprehensive benefits. The final compensation package will be based on your experience and location, with some flexibility to ensure we align with the right candidate.
Why Join Efficient?
Efficient offers a competitive compensation and benefits package, including 401K match, company-paid benefits, equity program, paid parental leave, and flexibility. We are committed to personal and professional development and strive to grow together as people and as a company.
Top Skills
What We Do
Efficient is building the world’s most energy-efficient general-purpose processor by combining ultra-efficient hardware with an intuitive, developer-friendly compiler and software stack that unlocks 10–100× efficiency gains across every part of an application, including AI. Efficient was founded in 2022 to commercialize a breakthrough in efficient computation developed over nearly a decade by a team of world-leading computer architects. Efficient's world-class team has produced two silicon implementations of the Fabric architecture: the Electron E0, a prototype system-on-chip, and the Electron E1, the first silicon product. With Efficient's cutting-edge effcc Compiler and software stack, the Electron E1 processor has been delivered to customers as of mid-2025, ramping to large-scale volume and distribution in 2026. Efficient already has customer traction in areas such as physical AI for infrastructure and automation, space and defense, automotive, and consumer products. Efficient's technology scales from tiny “beyond the edge” devices to large-scale robotics, autonomy, edge cloud, and datacenter applications—enabling widespread adoption across multiple industries and positioning Efficient as the solution to the energy problem across all of computing.
